Roanoke, Va. – Most of southwest Virginia saw one of the coolest and driest Augusts on record, but Roanoke broke from the trend when a sudden storm on August 21 unleashed more than four inches of rain in just two hours, flooding roads and neighborhoods.
According to the National Weather Service in Blacksburg, rainfall totals in Roanoke climbed to 6.14 inches for the month — nearly three inches above normal. That surge came almost entirely from the late-month storm, which dropped 4.27 inches and triggered flash flooding. In contrast, nearby Lynchburg finished the month with only 1.17 inches of rain, its 10th driest August on record.
Temperatures also ran unusually cool. Danville recorded its coldest August ever, averaging 72.8 degrees, while Roanoke tied for its third-coldest August on record. Lynchburg and Bluefield also placed in the top five coldest Augusts historically, as high pressure systems funneled cooler air against the Blue Ridge and limited thunderstorm activity.
Travelers faced the greatest hazards in Roanoke during the flooding, when roads quickly became impassable. Residents are urged to remain cautious during heavy downpours, as rapid runoff against the Blue Ridge can spark sudden high water events even in otherwise dry periods.
Cooler-than-normal weather is expected to linger into early September, though forecasters note additional rainfall could develop if instability returns.
Five Day Forecast for Roanoke, VA:
- Monday: Partly cloudy, high 81, low 64
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, high 83, low 65
- Wednesday: Chance of showers late, high 79, low 62
- Thursday: Scattered thunderstorms, high 77, low 60
- Friday: Sunny and cooler, high 75, low 58
